I was recently discussing with a close friend some details of my build regarding making a piece of one vehicle work correctly with a piece of another in my truck. He shook his head and mentioned that while he was sure I'd make it all work and it would be a nice truck when I was done, he would never want to own it because there would be no way to know which part came from where and what I did to make it fit if anything ever needed repaired or replaced.

That got me thinking. He does have a good point. I have no plans to ever get rid of the truck, but you never know. I might find something I like better and want to sell it years down the road or some poor family member may eventually end up with it after I'm gone. I know what I've done and where I've sourced the parts from, but the next guy would be lost. And even though I do remember the make and model that various pieces came from, I don't always remember the brand and part number.

I've got a lot of information in my build thread, but not everything. I decided that it would be a good idea to start a project notebook or diary with critical information in it that would be useful for service or repairs in the future. It's just a paper notebook right now, but I'll probably put it into a pdf document at some point as well.

I know many of you guys are building trucks that are full of mods and parts of other vehicles. Does anybody else do this? I'm looking for ideas before I get too far into mine! How much detail do you go in to? What information are you putting in it? Paper or electronic? Pictures too?

 

I do all my builds with similar thoughts in mind, I think it is a good idea.
I have a spread sheet for each build with all money spent, what parts were used, part numbers, where I bought them, and what their original application is. Nobody is going to know if I used a Z28 fuel pump or a chevy van gas tank without it.
Also I make every attempt not to modify parts that can wear out so the corner parts store part on the shelf can be used in an emergency. Better to modify a bracket or other hard part that is permanent.
Lastly I try to assemble fasteners so they can be removed in the future for service. Nothing worse than not being able to remove the transmission cross member to do a clutch job because the mounting bolts are installed in a way that they cannot be removed without taking the body apart.

 

I have had problems with that in the past. I say to myself that I will remember but I don't. On my 54 and 55 f100's I have a note book for each that I am recording everything. It is really important with the small block fords and transmissions. I am also keeping the receipts and sorting them. That way I know what cam, lifters, rockers and ect. You are on the right track.
I am cobbling up a computer to install in my shop so I don't have to write so much and it is easy to keep duplicate and searchable copies.
Elmo

 

I keep a note book, and save all the receipts in a binder. A detailed build thread is a good source to put information too. It would also help the next guy if that day comes. When I finish I'll make a laminated spread sheet for the basic stuff, brake pad and rotor part numbers, caliper part #s, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, clutch disc, throwout bearing, motor mount bushing size, and so on. The common stuff that is considered a wear item. The notebook with all the little details I'll save with the (large and growing) reciepts pile.

 

Build it stock and you don't have to worry about it.

I have always wonder that for you guys with parts from different vehicles.
I just imagine you going to the parts store and listing off a bunch of different vehicles to find parts for.

 

This is especially true for the "as-built" wiring diagram. Looking at a stock wiring diagram is useless for my truck, with added-on stereo, tach, dual courtesy lights, AFM, 1-wire, MSD, etc. I've made several attempts at sketching it out in AutoCAD, but it needs further updating.

 

I thought a long time about this when I rewired my truck from scratch. I decided not to try to draw a diagram but listed all the connections by wire gauge and color with destinations to and from in a spreadsheet. Unless I left something out, I only have 47 wires in the truck.

I also have a sheet showing the connections on the 4 barrier strips I used and showing the fuse panel with ratings and destinations.

 

I have a Build Sheet. I have everything I've done on it, but still working on figuring out what PO used and did.

 

I have taken it a bit further...whenever I use a component from another vehicle I will find the manual from that vehicle and scan the pages from it that relate to the parts/components that I used on mine. I take many photos during the course of the build as well. Once the build is complete I have all the documentation and notes and receipts in one folder on the computer. The plan was to print this out and make a manual that was specific to my truck/car...as of this time I have never printed it out because things keep changing and it is easier to just call it up on the PC. The local Costco has a service in the photo dept where they will print/bind a book for you using whatever files you give them...can be text or pics or a combination. If I ever sold one of my vehicles I may print up a book to go with it, might be a nice selling point.

 

I'm like a couple of others here who use a spreadsheet to list all the parts. I started using that as the plan of what I'm building and it gets changed as I go along. I has all the parts listed with a description, supplier, part number, quantity, price, freight, taxes, projected cost and actual cost. It also has the spare parts listed.

I also have a build notebook/binder that has all of the receipts and other information and pictures that don't fit in the spreadsheet.

I like CharlieLed's idea of copying the manual pages of other parts he used. Pictures are worth taking as they "see" things you don't remember. I have pictures filed on my computer of other people's builds so I and refer back to them for other ideas. My friend, a professional builder, has thousands of pictures on his website and they are a great reference and have good ideas.

The older I get the more I don't remember, so I have to document things so my son and son-in-law know how to fix my truck for my wife when I'm gone.

Philip

 

I realized this the hard way. I built early Mustangs for my kids years ago. Didn't have a lot of money to go crazy but, updated the safety aspects with more modern parts off newer vehicles. Common swaps back then like Granada disc brakes and dual reservoir master cylinders. Ran fine all these years. Kids in their 30's now and one asked me what brake parts to get. Uh oh?

I had to sit down and remember everything I changed and I actually did it. I made a list on my computer of all that has been changed and all else is stock.

I didn't care about what the parts cost back then. I got a lot from salvage yards and from horse trading.

My 52 is similar except I'm keeping track of cost. I made a list on my computer of everything I have bought and I round it up to nearest dollar. I round up to cover the little stuff I might pick up like WD-40 for example.

I'm making sure whoever gets it next will know what's in it. Especially the non stock items. Also have lots of pics saved.

 

I have a folder where I keep all my receipts. I originally planned to keep track of my costs. It is two years later and now I don't want to know what I've spent.

 

Good stuff, gentlemen! I hadn't thought about wiring schematics or the pertinent sections of the repair manuals for the various components. I'll see about adding those in also. One of the biggest reasons that I'm positive I want a paper copy notebook is convenience. If I break down traveling or I'm in a hurry, it's very easy to grab the notebook out of the glovebox to make a parts run with versus a spreadsheet. Electronic versions are more durable, though. Maybe doing both is the way to go.

One thing that I know for certain that I don't want included is prices or receipts. I absolutely do not want to be tempted to get out the calculator. Some things you're just better off not knowing!

 

i'm with JP. all the receipts i have are in a cardboard box with catalogs, etc. i didn't want to add up the total cost. when someone asks me what it costs, i vary the amount depending on who asks. dick r.

 

You guys have once again educated me to the way things should be done . It would be nice to have such comprehensive build information all in a nice format. I did have àll receipts and some wiring schematics together in a box under the workbench until a cheap HB parts washer broke spilling degrees over everything. Oh well, at least now I know what should be done in the future . Good thread with a lot of good ideas. Keep on rocking on.